Squamish’s brave new world
“When you think of Squamish, you don’t think industry…” – Global TV
Hang on… what?! Did I just hear that right? Yup, Squamish is getting unprecedented press right now and it’s not what we’re historically used to. It’s actually positive and shows us as recreation heaven on Earth.
This is fantastic and highlights just how much Squamish has changed. I still have “Woodfibre stink” flashbacks, but now there are thousands of born-and-raised Squamish kids whose parents have lived here the better part of a decade without ever knowing any industry here.
This massive shift became apparent recently during the record-breaking amount of feedback council has received begging us not to support LNG.
This is one issue I am having great difficulty with because I want to make an informed decision (I know, crazy eh?), but council has received very little “official” information and what I’ve read online — well, who can trust it?
As we wait patiently for the hard money and environment facts, the void is filled with full-steam-ahead social media updates from the provincial government and numerous reports about how, on a global scale, LNG is a ridiculous short-term industry to pursue.
Personally, I eagerly welcome back a strong industrial tax base, but the big question is: “Can someone be pro-clean airshed/marine life while also being pro-Woodfibre LNG?” With no firm details yet, who’s to say, but I’m going into this knowing two indisputable facts. One, everyone wants fresh air and whales and dolphins in the sound. Two, even the “industry now!” crowd are clear that if we don’t see significant cash, there is no reason to support it.
For better or worse, to help sift through the information, district staff (not council) has created an LNG working group to assist those councillors who haven’t already made up their minds. And the first thing everyone did when the names were released was count the obvious pro-LNG members, anti-LNG members and the “it’s-inevitable-make-the-most-of-it” members.
As for the rest of you — what can you do? Stay engaged and informed. Public comment period starts June 16 and I for one can’t wait to see the results so I can make an informed decision.
Of course there is so much more on the go, but I’ll end with a “thanks for reading” and invitation to my email newsletter (email [email protected]). It’s a glimpse into this nutty job and an invitation to drop me a note anytime, since this job is all about communication.
